The rest of the world might be packing away the Christmas tree and putting their Santa mugs into storage but in Mexico, Guatemala and most parts of Latin America, Christmas isn’t over until after Dia de los Reyes or The Three King’s Day on January 6th. The tradition of el Dia de los Reyes Magos represents the visit from Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar who visited baby Jesus bringing gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.
The day is celebrated by parades, gifts and delicious Rosca de Reyes bread served with hot chocolate. The rich bread is made with butter and orange-flower water and decorated with strips of candied red and green fruit. Here in Mexico, you’ll find a small figure representing Baby Jesus inside so chew carefully! Tradition says that the person who finds it is responsible for holding a party on February 2, Dia de la Candelaria and making tamales for everyone.
In Puerto Escondido, you can pick up a Rosco de Reyes in the stalls round the Benito Juarez market and if you’re lucky enough to get the Baby Jesus in your piece of cake, better place your tamale order early. You can bet there will be others planning parties for February 2nd.
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Carol Perehudoff Good save with the bag! I would have been freaked
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ed wetschler I've done this, too -- the Windward Islands c
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esperanza What a beautiful ship and so handy to get to the b
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Lesley Peterson What a gorgeous beach! And so true about not wanti
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Michele Thanks for your comment Marian! And I'm defin
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In 2003, I left the corporate world to try my hand at travel writing. Now, I travel the world, writing about people, places and cuisine. My writing has appeared in over 100 publications and anthologies. 
Great article Michelle! I was wondering if you could put a short”save the date” announcement in your blog for the. Annual weaving Exhibitionm and Sale by Tixinda the Women’s Weaving Cooperative from PDL for Sunday Jan 27th 10am to 4pm. Details to follow! Thanks and Happy New Year to you! Did you make our Mayan New Earth celebration on 12 21 2012? It was great!
HI Patrice…thanks for the reminder on the event! It’s a highlight of the winter season in Puerto. I’ll do it this week.
That orange flower-scented bread sounds delicious. Not sure I’d want to ‘win’ the baby Jesus figurine, though, if it means being responsible for making everyone’s tamales! I’d have to look for a recipe, quick.
Lesley Peterson recently posted..ArtSmart Roundtable: Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto